The 70-year-old author, who is currently writing the sixth novel of his wildly popular series "Song of Ice and Fire," which was adapted into the hit HBO show "Game of Thrones," adamantly denied speculation that the last two books are already finished.

Rumors started swirling after actor Ian McElhinney (who played Ser Barristan Selmy) claimedthat Martin "struck an agreement" with showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss to "not publish the final two books until the (TV) series has completed."

Ian McElhinney in a scene from the HBO television series "Game of Thrones."(Photo: Nick Briggs, HBO)

"All of a sudden this crazy story about my finishing 'THE WINDS OF WINTER' and 'A DREAM OF SPRING' years ago is popping up everywhere," Martin wrote on his blog Monday.

He continued: "No, the books are not done. HBO did not ask me to delay them. Nor did David & Dan. There is no 'deal' to hold back on the books. I assure you, HBO and David & Dan would both have been thrilled and delighted if 'THE WINDS OF WINTER' had been delivered and published four or five years ago… and NO ONE would have been more delighted than me."

George R. R. Martin says he's still working on the last two books in the "Song of Ice and Fire" series that spawned HBO series "Game of Thrones." And anybody who says different is just wrong.(Photo: NINA PROMMER, EPA-EFE)

"Game of Thrones" premiered in 2011, the same year Martin's fifth book, "A Dance With Dragons," was released. Fans have been waiting for the sixth novel ever since.

"It seems absurd to me that I need to state this," Martin added. "Why would I sit for years on completed novels? Why would my publishers — not just here in the US, but all around the world — ever consent to this? They make millions and millions of dollars every time a new 'Ice & Fire' book comes out, as do I. Delaying makes no sense. Why would HBO want the books delayed? The books help create interest in the show, just as the show creates interest in the books."

From jokes to serious interactions, the stars of "Game of Thrones" talk about what it's like when asked about spoilers.
USA TODAY

Martin, an executive producer on the TV series who has written episodes but is sitting out this final season while he works on the book, gave Benioff and Weiss an outline of where his long-planned plot goes, including the fates of characters like Jon Snow (Kit Harington), Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Arya Stark (Maisie Williams).

Armed with that road map, writers have been telling the tale without books to back them.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

HBO's "Game of Thrones" is now history after Sunday's series finale. Not surprisingly, surviving Lannister sibling Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) plays a major role. Scroll through to see more from the finale, plus images from the whole season. Helen Sloan, HBO

Dany's Hand of the Queen, Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), argued passionately for the safety of King's Landing and its innocent civilians, only to see it decimated by his queen. Walking through the wreckage, he doesn't look happy. Helen Sloan/HBO

After the huge Battle of Winterfell in the third episode of 'Game of Thrones' eighth and final season, the survivors barely had time to mourn the dead before heading off to battle Cersei Lannister at King's Landing in Episode 4 Here, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) may be as furious as 'Game of Thrones' fans have ever seen her after Cersei's chilling response to her demand for surrender. HBO

Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson), Varys (Conleth Hill), Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel), Dany (Emilia Clarke) and Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) make up the other side of the funeral on "Game of Thrones." Helen Sloan/HBO